Hockey Canada board backs president/CEO Scott Smith amid calls for change

Hockey Canada's board of directors says it is supporting president and chief executive officer Scott Smith and his executive team amid calls for leadership change at the organization.

Hockey Canada interim board chair Andrea Skinner announced the backing of the organization's executive in a statement posted Monday on its website.

Canada's governing body of hockey is under intense scrutiny for its handling of sexual assault allegations against members of previous men's junior teams.

The federal government froze Hockey Canada's funding after it was revealed the organization had quietly settled a lawsuit with a woman who alleged she was sexually assaulted by members of the 2018 men's junior team at Hockey Canada gala in London, Ont., that year.

Since then, Hockey Canada has said members of the 2003 junior team are under investigation for alleged sexual assault in Nova Scotia.

Board chair Michael Brind'Amour stepped down Aug. 6. His term was set to end in November.